Social Justice
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Black Representation Has Increased, But Athens Artists Say There’s More to be Done
Jasmine Best grew up in the hills of North Carolina watching her grandmothers and great grandmothers sew and crochet — which led her to develop an interest in the craft. “It’s kind of recontextualizing the women who taught me these skills or had to use these skills and putting it…
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‘Generational Curse Broken’: First-Gen College Students Reflect on Graduation
Siham Ahmed, a fourth-year student at the University of Georgia, emigrated from Ethiopia to the United States at the age of 1. The move away from culture and community was difficult, but Ahmed said her parents made the decision “because of the opportunities that exist in America Where can I…
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From Incarcerated to Advocate: How One Man Uses His Experience to Help Individuals with Reentry
With Georgia placing among the top four states with the highest rates of incarceration, one advocate for criminal justice reform is using his personal experience to help other formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into their communities. For Tony Kitchens, Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) Field Director of Prison Fellowship and board…
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Black Business Owners Face Pressures to Vacate Historic Potterytown Neighborhood
On a warm spring evening, Lashanna Mattox paces back and forth on Pottery Street. She stares up at the newest parking deck for The Mark, which towers over the small business she and her husband, Terrell Mattox, own. Mrs. Mattox is the front desk coordinator and co-owner of the Potterytown-based…
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‘Radically Inclusive’: Athens Coffee Spot Employs, Empowers People with Disabilities
At Bitty & Beau’s coffee shop, customers might notice “we love you” or “you are awesome” written on the side of their cup of joe. These positive notes are emblematic of a culture of encouragement and inclusivity in the store, which is a space dedicated to primarily hiring people with…
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Protesting ‘Toxic’ Policing: Athens Area Residents March for Accountability
Tiffany Taylor worries about her four sons. She is constantly anxious that they are in danger — she fears that one day, they will have an encounter with law enforcement that could end their lives. “I stand before you as a mother who is in mourning for yet another black…
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Black Undergraduate Enrollment is Dropping: How One Student-Led Organization is Fighting to Raise It
Listen to the story here. While the University of Georgia’s student population continues to grow each year, the number of Black undergraduate admissions hasn’t grown at all — it’s declining. According to the UGA Fact Book, which shows publicly available information facilitated by the Office of Institutional Research,…
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African-American Heritage Pathway Marks Athens Landmarks
Local historians are hoping to shine a spotlight on several lost and forgotten landmarks in Downtown Athens. They hope this effort helps preserve and communicate some of the rich and complex history of African Americans in the Classic City. In November, the Athens Downtown Development Authority, in collaboration with the…
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College Students Encouraged to Consider Fostering when Searching for Furry Friend
Watch the video above to learn more about the benefits of animal fostering — particularly for college students — when searching for a companion animal. Abbey Walton is a student majoring in journalism at the University of Georgia.
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Vehicular-Pedestrian Deaths Are Growing Concern in Athens
Catherine Shinholser, a teacher at Chase Street Elementary School and regular runner in Athens said drivers have been less careful in recent months. “I’ve had a lot of near-hits recently,” said Shinholser. Seth Jones, a senior police officer for Athens-Clarke County Police Department, said law enforcement has noticed more dangerous…